Casting Study: Escutcheon for overhead shower for Grohe Rainshower series

The award-winning component is a large-scale application of die-cast zinc as a shower head. The large surface area of ​​the cover rosette component of an overhead shower for the GROHE Rainshower series in connection with a galvanic surface treatment places special demands on the surface flatness. The galvanizable surface of the zinc die-cast workpiece in a high-quality application, as is required in sanitary engineering, must not have any sink marks. When manufacturing such large-area zinc die-cast products with a corresponding overall height and a component weight of over 2 kg, a special heat distribution in the casting tool is required. The area of ​​the sprues requires a special concept so that the casting tool, which is characterized by many openings and stabilizing webs, can be filled quickly. This zinc die-cast component replaces a brass component that is diamond-milled from solid material and has the requirement for an identical look and function. Under these framework conditions, the component must be redesigned to be suitable for die casting.

The jury recognizes the cast part from the Rainshower series because of its high level of innovation in casting technology and the implementation of high technological requirements. The jury sees the high-quality surface quality, which in the past could only be achieved with a milled component, and the casting requirements for the large-area component, implemented in this casting as an example.